Researchers Probe Vacuum Therapy for Brain Injury

Injury to the brain can be some of the most devastating trauma a person can suffer. One reason for this is that there remains no complete cure for a brain injury. In addition, successful treatment is heavily dependent on reducing damage after the injury has occurred. The smaller the subsequent damage, the greater the chance of reducing long-term effects. This is why a new study is so exciting. New research found that vacuum treatment used soon after a brain injury can help reduce the severity of the injury and promote recovery of the patient.

Researchers investigated the effects of using controlled vacuum or mechanical tissue resuscitation to heal sections of the brain damaged by injury. The researchers experimented with the therapy on swine that had localized, controlled brain injuries. Different levels of vacuum therapy were used and the resulting effects of the therapy were compared.

The investigators also focused on the effects of the use of mechanical tissue resuscitation after 3 or 5 days. They evaluated the effects of the therapy differed and how it differed when treatment was administered immediately or within three or six hours of the brain injury.
The study team found that a higher vacuum pressure setting was the most successful in helping reduce the effects of the brain injury. Vacuum of this intensity led to smaller brain contusions and lower hemorrhage volumes, compared to a lower vacuum therapy setting.

They also found a significant difference in the administration of the therapy during different intervals after the injury. For instance, when the therapy was administered three hours after the injury occurred, the effects were more or less the same as when the therapy was administered immediately after the injury. However, when the therapy was administered six hours after the injury occurred, they found lower responses to the therapy, although the progress was still significant.

Although there’s no complete cure for brain injury, there is an burgeoning field of research that focuses on treatments and therapies for brain injury victims. The focus in most of these therapies is to limit the severity of the damage, control bleeding from the brain, and mitigate many of the other risk factors that lead to long-term brain damage after an injury.

However, the most effective treatment for brain injury continues to remain prevention. Educating people about the ways to help reduce their risk of suffering a brain injury is key. Wear a seatbelt when you drive, and always wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle or motorcycle. Never drive under the influence of alcohol, or use a cell phone while driving. Take care to avoid fall hazards in your home.